Approval rates
The approval rate for Gene Duncan reflects a 78% lifetime allowance rate based on 417 decisions. This figure sits at the top of the 30% to 78% range observed among the 18 judges on record at the Tacoma office. These statistics provide a baseline for understanding how your case might be evaluated compared to the broader bench. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Duncan. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Duncan's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The record for Gene Duncan spans from 2016 to 2017, during which time your approval rate shifted from 81% in 2016 to 70% in 2017. With 417 total decisions on record, this data provides a view of the judge's historical approach to disability claims. This pattern reflects the judge's evolution in handling evidence and case requirements during the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Duncan's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Tacoma hearing office
The Tacoma hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout Washington and the surrounding region. It is staffed by a bench of 18 judges who manage a diverse range of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. See the /disability-benefits/hearing-offices/tacoma-WA Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 18 judges on record at this office since 2016, 5 of whom are reported in the latest SSA period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 30% to 78% on a lifetime basis. Your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Gene Duncan has a lifetime approval rate of 78%, which is at the high end of the 30% to 78% range seen among the 18 judges at the Tacoma office. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the standards of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows an approval rate of 81% in 2016 and 70% in 2017 across 417 total decisions. This shift is part of the judge's historical record, and an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony regarding your ability to work. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you may face.
The 78% lifetime approval rate for Gene Duncan is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your case. An attorney can help you evaluate your claim's strengths and prepare for the hearing process.